Shape Collage Creation Using Primitives for Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating shape collages are inefficient, particularly in arranging non-rectangular shapes and handling large numbers of images, often resulting in overlapping, gaps, or cropping, which negatively impact visual appeal.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for creating shape collages that allows for dynamic image placement and resizing within arbitrary shapes, ensuring no overlapping and even borders, by using shape primitives to cover the desired shape and supporting an arbitrary number of images, with user-specified image placement and resizing options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated collage creation software is used to arrange images efficiently, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to overlapping, gaps, or cropping of images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the collage creation process into distinct phases: shape definition, image selection, automated arrangement algorithm execution, and border adjustment. This segmentation allows each phase to be optimized independently, maintaining precision while improving overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts multiple parameters including image size, position, rotation, and border width to eliminate overlapping and gaps. By changing these parameters iteratively through automated algorithms, the system achieves precise image placement while maintaining high productivity.
2Manufacturing precision
If iterative adjustment algorithms are used to minimize overlap and uncovered space, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to multiple iterations required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining the shape boundaries and pre-selecting images before the arrangement process. This preparation reduces the number of iterative adjustments needed, thereby maintaining precision while reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the arrangement algorithm continuously monitors overlap and uncovered space, then adjusts image positions accordingly. This closed-loop approach converges faster by learning from each iteration, reducing total adjustment time while maintaining precision.
3Device complexity
If fixed number of positions are used for images in collages, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because collages are limited to fixed number and size of images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic positioning where image positions are not fixed but determined algorithmically based on the number and characteristics of input images. This allows the collage structure to adapt automatically to different input scenarios while maintaining relatively simple underlying logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The arrangement algorithm is designed to handle various collage configurations universally, whether rectangular or non-rectangular, with any number of images. This multi-functional approach maintains simplicity in the core algorithm while achieving high adaptability across different use cases.
4Manufacturing precision
If images are cropped to fit fixed aspect ratios, then manufacturing precision is improved for rectangular fitting, but loss of information occurs as important parts of pictures are cut off
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fixed aspect ratio cropping, the system dynamically changes image parameters including size, position, and rotation to fit within the collage boundaries. This allows full image content to be preserved while achieving precise fitting through multiple parameter adjustments rather than simple cropping.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and computer program product for creating shape collages are provided. The method includes receiving a shape specification signal which specifies at least one desired shape having an area. The method further includes receiving image data which represents a plurality of images. The method still further includes processing the shape specification signal and the image data to obtain a shape collage of the images at least partially covering the area of the at least one desired shape. The step of processing may include the steps of at least partially covering the at least one desired shape with at least one shape primitive and placing at least one image over the at least one shape primitive to at least partially fill the at least one shape primitive. The method may further include receiving a command signal to either locate a user-specified image essentially or approximately at a desired location in the shape collage or resize the user-specified image from an initial size in the initial collage to a desired size. The method may still further include processing the command signal and the shape collage to create a finished shape collage having either the user-specified image essentially or approximately at the desired location or the user-specified image with the desired size to increase visual appeal of the finished shape collage to the user.